Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1887-12-29

denly sprang, barking, through the bushes
along the shore on the right, and a mascu-
line figure followed him.
Dolores at once fed to Natalie for protec-
ton, being terrified at the sight of this
great creature. But, when she caught sight
OF his master, she gave a cry of joy, and
running up, took him by the hand, disre-
garding the dog. The man STOPPING down,
kissed the child and called to the animal:
3 MAX, Max, come here! want to present
you to the sweetest and fairest little maiden
IN Christendom."
Max, in a sheepishly- dignifed manner,
lifted one large paw and put it in the little
girls hand.
snow, Max" continued the gentleman,
81 want you always to carefully watch this
little lady and never let any harm befau
her,
: Max appeared to understand the injunc-
ton. He walked beside Dolores very meek
" but, ever and anon, cast regretful
chances toward his master.
All this time the newcomer pretended
that he had not observed Natalie, who,
thus, had good opportunity of studying
him.
He was of about medium height, had
brownish hair, frank, open face from
was removed, a fresh color in his cheeks and
an apparently ingenious, easy manner.
She judged him to be, perhaps, one and
twenty.
Dolores, after Max's introduction to her,
took her friends hand, saying:
''Come, now, want my little mamma to
see you.'
.sWho is your little mamma and wherein
replied he, still looking down at her, and
affecting to be unaware of Natalie's pres
ence.
ssWhy, there she is. Don't you see her?"
Looking up, hastily, the young man blushed
(thank Heaven this was genuine, and stands
out like refreshing, green oasis in the des
ert of all his other artificial, cut-and-dried
actions), appeared surprised, and quickly
and rather awkwardly pulled off his hat and
bowed.
Natalie looked puzzled. And she was dis
turbed. Where had she seen that brow and
those eyes before. They both were strange
ly familiar.
However, ere she had time to continue
her reflection, the hat was replaced, and
Arthur Fairfax came forward, and smiling
ly said:
ssThis little fairy has dragged me, willy
nilly into the presence of a stranger who,
trust appreciates my situation, and will
pardon this seeming intrusion?'
What a pleasant voice! Natalie saw
on closer inspection that he was much older
than at first sight he had appeared. She
now overshot the mark, and called him
thirty.
In reply to his remark, she answered,
simply and quietly:
81 think you must be the gentleman who
has captured Dolores heart.''
ssAh!" queried he, laughing, 81 can't say
ga RI that Rut do know that I'm one of the
individuals whose heart Dolores has capt
ured."
Natalie smiled, and Dolores turned her at
tention to Max, having overcome her fears
Of that large animal
eyes, continued the stranger, 81 came
here day or two ago to hunt for a roll of
music that 1 lost somewhere about here,
and while was searching, met this young
fairy
"Was it. manuscript, eagerly INTERRUPTED
Natalie.
'It was,'' promptly responded the other,
feeling that his ruse was succeeding.
ssWas it called Stella Near"
sft was,'' again he replied affecting a lit
tie well-feigned establishment at her ques-
tons and manner.
Then I have it, continued she, with
evident delight. 81 found it here, and, do
you know, I like it very much, indeed. Did
you really compose 1t! You are musical,
then, as well as poetical!''
Verify, Mistress Natalie was overcoming
her man-hating proclivities.
Still this was not at all surprising. When
this young man resolved to win the good
will of any one, male or female, few reason
able mortals could resist him. That frank
ness, that apparent simple-mindedness
threw strangers off their guard, and ere
they knew it, the citadal of their reserve had
quite capitulated.
II am glad sou like it, indeed" answered
he, with slight bow, looking very much
pleased. SHOW fortunate am to have met
you'll For, strangely enough, have been
unable to recall all of either the melody or
the words. May return with you to the
house and get its''
"Certainly," replied Natalie, falling quick
ly into the trap; ''I'm very glad to have dis
covered its owner"
The ice was now broken.
Fairfax had once more plotted success
fully. Natalie, had she only paused 10 re-
fleet upon her course, might have been sur
prised, to say the least. She was CHATTING
away as gayly and unconcernedly with this
stranger, Of whom she knew absolutely
nothing, as Il she had known him for years.
They walked together up toward tho cot
tage, Dolores between them, holding the
hand OF each In her tiny fingers, while Max
followed der,urely behind.
Fairfax quite naturally let slip the re-
mark that he was located in the pretty cot
tace across the fields-Natal:7 had often
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